How to Help Seniors Set Goals for The New Year
Planning for the new year can feel daunting, especially with the added pressure of looming resolutions. For seniors, in particular, achieving goals can be a challenge due to certain limitations or restrictions. Thankfully, here at Visiting Angels of SE-OKC, helping seniors accomplish tasks and work toward personal achievements is something we strive for every day. Whether you are a family or professional caregiver or a senior interested in setting goals for 2025, use this guide to create actionable and achievable goals that can be met.
Use the SMART Goal Framework
The guide below illustrates creating and achieving a goal based on the SMART framework. Let’s explore each element to discover how seniors can set and work toward a goal personal to them.
Specific
Goals must be specific to be achievable. Ask yourself precisely what you want to achieve and assign as many details as you feel are right. If your general desire is to read more books, your specific goal could be to read 24 books in 12 months.
Measurable
Once you know what you want to achieve, it’s time to figure out how you’ll achieve it. What metrics will you use to measure (1) your progress and (2) your achievement? If you want to cook your way through a cookbook, how will you know you’re working toward that last recipe on the final page?
Achievable
At this point, your goal and the metrics you’ll use to measure your progress may feel overwhelming. If your larger goal feels unachievable, how can you break it down into smaller goals that feel more manageable? If you want to complete a 5K but it feels too daunting, consider walking half or even a fourth of the distance first and then working your way up.
Relevant
Goals don’t hold much value if you don’t care about the outcome. Create goals that are relevant to you because your buy-in will help make them happen. If you’re not excited or invested in your goals, it’s challenging, if not impossible, to achieve them.
What does relevance look like in your life? Have you always struggled with something and wanted to overcome it, or have you always wanted to do something but never had the courage? If your goals mean something to you, you’ve found your relevance.
Time-Bound
If you complete the SMART framework up to this point, you’re well on your way to setting an achievable goal. However, putting a timeframe on it all cements the reality of what you’re setting out to do. If you have to achieve something before a deadline, that’s even more motivation to make it happen.
It’s crucial to incorporate the achievable factor into this step as well. Reading 24 books in a week sounds more like torture than fun, but reading them throughout the year can help you enjoy what you read. You might even consider creating a book club to share your thoughts and socialize with others.
We Can Help Seniors Achieve Their Goals for 2025
Although the new year is the perfect time to set personal goals and establish the framework to achieve them, seniors can also set goals throughout the year. Visiting Angels of SE-OKC supports seniors in their goals, assisting them along the way to ensure their safety, happiness, and well-being. If you’d like to learn more about our senior home care services, contact us to schedule a free consultation.